Pere Ubu has existed in different incarnations since 1975. Far from stagnating, the band has evolved over time, introducing new members and instruments.

On Thursday they took full advantage of modern technology, using drum machines, synths and even a theramin, proving their adaptability.

It was a small crowd of perhaps 100 who turned out to the Komedia. However each member of the audience was clearly a diehard fan, and the range of ages was a testament to the band’s wide appeal.

Pere Ubu has always been a deeply experimental rock band: nothing has changed. Many songs were eerie and atmospheric, morphing into one another and descending into cacophony.

The drummer tore through several sticks, the guitar and bass growled with distortion. The clarinet, a new addition, alternated between demonic and angelic.

Lead singer David Thomas rarely sang in tune. Perhaps his voice is deteriorating with age: two days before, he had been in intensive care. As he put it, “Grim Reaper 0, David Thomas 3.”

On the other hand, perhaps tunefulness was not the point. Pere Ubu has always been a challenging band. Throughout their show, they played to confront musicality and widen the scope of what we might call “tuneful.”

Three stars